VA policies miff World War II vet
The Wednesday editorial by the Chicago Tribune about the Veterans Administration was great.
I am a 91-year-old World War II veteran. My mother had five of us in World War II. I have Medicare, Georgia State Merit and VA benefits.
I was in the hospital for an emergency head injury. The bill was $200,000. Medicare and Georgia State Merit paid everything but $5,000. I wanted the VA to pay the balance but was refused. The VA has 100 rules about how not to pay.
Joseph W. Reid, Dalton, Ga.
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Prevention is good medicine for all
As I contemplate the current health insurance challenges our country faces, this question comes to mind: Why don't we prioritize prevention over intervention? We've all heard the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Do we factor it into our daily lives?
As the daughter of a physician who practiced lifestyle medicine for many years, I witnessed the benefits of lifestyle changes: a Type 2 diabetic got off all of her insulin; people shed pounds; others had improved emotional health.
All of this was accomplished by eating a healthy diet, getting good exercise, drinking lots of water, spending time outdoors, being temperate, getting enough sleep and learning to respond to life's difficulties in healthier ways. Numerous physicians have realized this fact and are promoting lifestyle changes.
It's time for Americans to take responsibility for their health. Willingness to sacrifice our harmful lifestyle practices and learn a better way of living would reduce the prevalence of illnesses, and consequently, our need for health care. I see this as the greatest way to lower our national spending on health care.
Naomi Olivier, Collegedale
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Trump, Clinton not worthy of ballott
In my opinion, what these two pretenders to the White House seem to miss is that neither of them is suited for the power and prestige attached to being president of the United States. One has "experience," which means she has been manipulating the system longer and more effectively.
The other, a "newcomer," has been a "rope-a-dope" carnival barker for years.
What I, and so many Americans, are attempting to determine, since we're going to get stuck with one of them, is which "loser" will be less dangerous for the United States and the rest of the world.
My advice - address issues, not each other! We already know more about both of you than we care to have confirmed.
The candidate best suited for election in November is not even on the ballot and, unfortunately never will be, and that is none of the above. Then, Hillary could stop burnishing her crown and Trump could stop brandishing his sceptre.
Dennis Westmeier, Red Bank
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Easy to confuse 'jive' and 'jibe'
A local attorney/prosecutor was quoted in your Wednesday edition about a criminal suspect's version of events as saying "...and that just does not jive with forensic evidence."
If the prosecutor was misquoted, he deserves a correction/apology from the Times Free Press. If he was not misquoted, he should consider reviewing his word usage.
The correct way to describe that suspect's version of events is it does not "jibe" with forensic evidence.
Calvin Calhoun, Ooltewah